Federal Volunteer Management
Policies
1
Background
• National Response Team “Use of Volunteers
Guidelines For Oil Spills” - September 2012
• Based on the outcome of the USCG Incident
Specific Preparedness Review (ISPR) for the
M/V Cosco Busan Incident in 2007
Definitions
• Affiliated Volunteer:
– volunteers to assist
– Without pay
– Has a pre-existing formal or informal arrangement
– With either an governmental agency or non
governmental organization (NGO)
– Or Community Based Organization (CBO)
– And who has been trained for a specific role or
function in incident response
– Ex: Oiled Wildlife Care Network
Definitions (cont)
• Unaffiliated Volunteer:
– volunteers to assist a govt agency, NGO or CBO
– With response activities
– Without pay
– Also known as “convergent”, “emergent” or
“spontaneous” volunteers
– May not have benefited from pre-deployment
training
NRT Policy Statement
• EPA and USCG federal OSCs may use the services
of volunteers in oil spill responses in accordance
with their statutory authorities and other
applicable laws.
• The Incident Command/Unified Command should
make that decision on a case-by-case basis,
weighing the interests of the local volunteer
community and benefits of volunteer efforts
against health and safety concerns, resources
needed for volunteer supervision and training,
liability concerns, and other relevant issues.
Use of Affiliated vs. Unaffiliated
• Affiliated volunteers are the preferred method of
volunteer manpower
• Best efforts should be made to direct unaffiliated
individuals towards affiliated organizations.
• When affiliated volunteers are used, they may be
covered under the umbrella of the affiliated
organization‘s liability coverage.
• Beyond insurance coverage, affiliated
organizations provide supervision, training, and
support of their members.
Use of Affiliated vs. Unaffiliated
• The use of unaffiliated volunteers creates the potential
for additional liability to the federal government
• Federal responders should give their use considerable
scrutiny during the decision-making process.
• For the purpose of determining liability coverage, if the
government provides tasking, day-to-day supervision,
and supplies to unaffiliated volunteers, then these
individuals, if injured, may be considered employees of
the government and are afforded coverage under the
Federal Employee Compensation Act
• OSHA requirements must be met for all volunteers
Planning Ahead
• Area Comittees should pre identify affiliated
organizations within their AOR
• Plan ahead for unaffiliated volunteers
– Consider using them for “minimal risk” activities
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pre-impact beach cleanup
temporary movement of natural debris
administrative duties
messenger tasks
During a Response
• Human health and safety is the first priority in
decisions regarding how to use volunteers.
• Section 300.185(c) of the NCP outlines the general
policy regarding use of volunteers:
– ―ACPs should identify specific areas in which volunteers
can be used, such as beach cleanup surveillance, non-oiled
logistical support, and bird and wildlife treatment. Unless
specifically requested by the federal OSC/RPM, volunteers
generally should not be used for physical removal or
remedial activities. If, in the judgment of the federal
OSC/RPM, dangerous conditions exist, volunteers shall be
restricted from on-scene operations.
During a Response
Mr. Scott Knutson
District 13
District Response Advisory Team (DRAT)
Current Volunteer Coordination
Efforts